Timber Fire spans nearly 31 square miles as crews back-burn brush
Fire crews with water-dropping aircraft battled two wildfires Thursday along California’s remote Big Sur coast — a newly erupted blaze that prompted fresh evacuations in Monterey County and a larger fire burning for nearly three weeks about 40 miles north.
Fire danger is high across much of California, with an increased risk of lightning and gusty winds from the remnants of a tropical storm in the Pacific.
The Plaskett Fire broke out Wednesday in steep terrain in Monterey County near Highway 1. Officials briefly closed a portion of the scenic coastal route Thursday afternoon as crews worked to keep flames from running through canyons, and a handful of isolated properties were under evacuation orders and warnings. The fire had no containment so far, and its cause was under investigation.
About 40 miles (60 kilometers) north, officials closed another section of the highway where the Timber Fire has been active since Aug. 8. Crews performed back-burning operations, deliberately setting fire to brush to keep the larger blaze from advancing toward populated areas of Big Sur. The fire spanned nearly 31 square miles (80 square kilometers), with more than 20% containment.